Director Elegance Bratton's new film, "By Any Means," introduces a new mismatched buddy cop duo in Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Mark Wahlberg, set against the backdrop of racial and political violence in the American South during the late 1960s. The action thriller, which opened in theaters September 4, centers on the investigation into the 1966 firebombing murder of Mississippi NAACP leader Vernon Dahmer Sr.
Abdul-Mateen portrays a by-the-book, Southern-born Black FBI agent, Wayne Strider, who is partnered with Wahlberg's Gregory Scarpa, a New York Mafia hitman. The unlikely pair must cross racial, North-South, and societal barriers to solve the case, as the Ku Klux Klan's influence is pervasive, even within law enforcement.
According to the film's narrative, the FBI, unable to crack the case through conventional means, enlists Scarpa "off the books" to assist. The film draws parallels to "Mississippi Burning" and is described as a propulsive, muscular, and unvarnished action thriller that touches upon themes relevant to contemporary white Christian nationalism.
While "By Any Means" is presented as "based on true events," the filmmakers blend fact and fiction. Gregory Scarpa was a real FBI informant who was indeed pressured to help solve the murders of civil rights workers in Mississippi. However, his FBI partner in the film, Agent Strider, is a composite character created for the movie.
Abdul-Mateen develops his character, Strider, from a respectful, by-the-book agent to a more action-oriented figure. Wahlberg embodies Scarpa, adopting his known characteristics, including an ever-present toothpick, a prosthetic nose, and a distinctive appearance. The film's supporting cast includes Nicole Beharie as Strider's wife, LisaGay Hamilton as a key witness, and Giancarlo Esposito as Dahmer. The movie also features a soundtrack with music from Nina Simone, Ray Charles, and Dinah Washington, along with an original song by Diane Warren.
The core of the film lies in the dynamic between Scarpa and Strider, and the question of whether violence can be a legitimate means to an end. Scarpa's brutal methods, which include physical assaults, contrast sharply with Strider's approach. The film reportedly culminates in a violent conclusion. "By Any Means" is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for violence, bloody images, and pervasive language, and has a running time of 107 minutes.